ARAB AND WORLD

Wed 06 Aug 2025 8:31 am - Jerusalem Time

U.S. State Department: House Speaker Johnson expresses his opinion on the West Bank

The spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, Tami Bruce, stated that what the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Mike Johnson (Republican from Louisiana), said on Monday in the Ariel settlement regarding the West Bank, which he referred to as Judea and Samaria, represents his personal opinion.


Bruce was responding to a journalist's question (during her press conference at the State Department) about the U.S. government's stance on Johnson's visit to the settlement and his statement that "Judea and Samaria is the historical land of the Jews." However, when following up her initial response with a question about the U.S. government's position on that, her reply was unclear and ambiguous, as she said, "I will not speak here about the government's opinion."


The Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Johnson, visited the "Ariel" settlement in the occupied West Bank on Monday, where he delivered a speech at a conference for settlers, accompanied by the U.S. ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, in an unusual move for one of the most powerful elected officials in the United States.


According to Mark Zell, head of "Republicans Abroad" in Israel, Johnson said, "The mountains of Judea and Samaria belong to the Jewish people," criticizing countries that call for the recognition of a Palestinian state.


For its part, the right-wing newspaper "Israel Hayom" revealed on Tuesday that Israel presented Johnson with "maps and documents" related to how to impose Israeli sovereignty (annexation) over the occupied West Bank.


According to the newspaper, this occurred during a meeting held by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with Johnson on Monday in the "Shilo" settlement northeast of Ramallah in the West Bank.


This is the first time Netanyahu has informed U.S. officials – including Johnson and his accompanying delegation – of Israel's intention to take "an unavoidable military decision in Gaza," according to the newspaper.


Israeli reports and leaks in recent days have discussed Netanyahu's intention to reoccupy the Gaza Strip, which Israel occupied for 38 years (1967-2005).


Israel Hayom stated that Israeli authorities presented maps and documents during the meeting that clarify their vision for imposing complete Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank, without disclosing the details of these documents.


Observers believe that any move to annex any part of the West Bank would effectively end the possibility of implementing the two-state solution, which is supported by the United Nations and forms the basis for any future political settlement.


Johnson has long been an ally of the Israeli right, using his position as Speaker of the House to support efforts to bolster right-wing positions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict (in both America and Israel). He is also considered one of the closest allies of the organization: "American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC)," from which he received $796,000 (seven hundred ninety-six thousand dollars) in the 2024 election cycle to fund his campaign.


Among the lawmakers who joined Johnson on the trip was Republican Congresswoman Claudia Tenney from New York, the chair of the Friends of Judea and Samaria caucus, which was established earlier this year to support Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

OPINIONS

Wed 06 Aug 2025 8:26 am - Jerusalem Time

When the disturbed reoccupies the occupied!

Ibrahim Malham

Ibrahim Malham

Opinion Writer

Pens hunger as people do, hearts crack and bodies melt, and throats dry up just as ink dries on the white paper, turning words into a counterpart of whiteness, while the pain of loss carves its grooves into the weary bodies in the hell of slaughter, where the killer has not yet quenched his thirst, and his appetite opens up for more with threats and intimidation to restore the disturbed to the occupied.

Pens hide behind clouds of smoke and the pangs of pain, ink recedes, and the ink dries like the dryness of milk in the breasts of mothers starving in tents, where no palm tree is shaken by nursing mothers to drop fresh dates to relieve them and their children from the persistent hunger at their doors.

Yes, pens scream just as intestines do, and words become muddied in the face of the pain of loss through killing and starvation, while mothers embrace the shoes of their offspring in a scene that shakes hearts from their depths. How do they sleep? How do they eat? How do they spend their evenings? And how do they wake up? The questions of the pain residing in Gaza have become answers suspended from the excess of what has befallen the families in the hell of the massacre.

When flesh melts and bones become visible beneath it, life turns into a counterpart of death in a world where the days nearing seven hundred are not enough to awaken from the slumber colluding with the massacre.

 The disturbed will not succeed in achieving his goals except by drowning deeper in the blood of children and women, driven by dreams of the "Riviera" and urges for revenge and control over the land where all elements of life have been killed.

PALESTINE

Wed 06 Aug 2025 8:16 am - Jerusalem Time

Britain calls for the opening of land corridors to deliver essential aid to Gaza.

Britain Calls for Opening Land Corridors to Deliver Essential Aid to Gaza

The UK Ambassador to the United Nations, Barbara Woodward, called for the opening of all land corridors to deliver essential humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, stressing the importance of ending the suffering of the residents there.

During a Security Council meeting, Woodward stated that Israel must lift the restrictions imposed on aid delivery, noting that the international community must take responsibility to end the humanitarian crisis in the region.

The British ambassador clarified that her country is ready to take on its historical responsibility and work on a plan that ensures the cessation of bloodshed and lays the foundation for an independent Palestinian state, emphasizing the need to end the blockade imposed on Gaza.

For his part, the Palestinian representative to the United Nations, Riyad Mansour, delivered a speech in which he affirmed that the Israeli occupation has kidnapped thousands of civilians and is using starvation as a bargaining chip, in a blatant violation of human rights and international law.

Mansour pointed out that more than 60,000 Palestinians have been martyred, including about 20,000 children, in addition to the killing of a thousand people in the West Bank, holding the occupation responsible for the ongoing escalation and the necessity to stop the war and starvation, and to move towards a reconstruction plan.

PALESTINE

Wed 06 Aug 2025 6:42 am - Jerusalem Time

20 dead and dozens of injured in a truck aid overturning in the middle of Gaza.

20 dead and Dozens Injured in Aid Truck Flip in Gaza

The government media office in Gaza announced the death of 20 Palestinians and the injury of dozens due to the overturning of an aid truck over a gathering of relief seekers in the center of the sector. The statement clarified that the occupation forces forced the truck to pass through an unsafe route, leading to the tragic incident, emphasizing that the occupation deliberately seeks to place civilians in paths of death and danger.

The office held the occupation and its supporting countries, led by the United States, fully responsible for the worsening humanitarian crisis experienced by more than 2.4 million Palestinians in the sector, describing what is happening as "a complete genocide" according to international law. It called on the international community and the United Nations for urgent intervention to fully and safely open the crossings and ensure the flow of food, medical aid, and fuel without obstacles or political conditions, warning that the situation in Gaza has crossed all red lines.

This incident comes as part of a series of bloody events that Gaza has witnessed in recent months, where hundreds of civilians have fallen betweendead and injured while trying to access aid, amid the tightened siege imposed on the sector. Reports confirm that the continuation of the siege and the restriction of the movement of residents increases their suffering and deepens the humanitarian crisis.

In a related context, Tel Aviv has begun since May 27 to implement a plan for distributing aid through an entity called "Gaza Humanitarian Relief Foundation," which is supported by Israel and the United States but rejected by the United Nations. Since the start of this mechanism, the number of martyrs has risen to 1,516 Palestinians, in addition to more than 10,067 injured, due to the repeated firing by the Israeli occupation army on those waiting for aid, according to data from the Ministry of Health in Gaza.

Since October 2023, the Israeli occupation army has been waging a war of extermination against the residents of the sector, which has so far resulted in the martyrdom of more than 61,000 Palestinians and the injury of more than 150,000, in addition to displacing most of the sector's residents, amid unprecedented destruction since World War II, according to reliable Palestinian and international reports.

PALESTINE

Wed 06 Aug 2025 6:18 am - Jerusalem Time

Medical sources: 20 Palestinians killed by the overturning of a aid truck in Gaza.

Medical Sources: 20 Palestinians Killed in Aid Truck Flip in Gaza

Palestinian medical sources reported that at least twenty Palestinians were killed and dozens were injured early Wednesday, following the overturning of a truck loaded with food aid in the city of Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip.

The incident occurred while crowds of civilians were gathering around the truck, which was traveling on an unpaved road, leading to its overturning amid the gatherings, in an incident that has repeated in the context of the difficult humanitarian conditions in the sector.

The sources indicated that the majority of the victims were from affected and displaced residents, who are suffering from severe food insecurity, and were waiting to receive the aid that the truck was transporting, reflecting the magnitude of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

This incident is part of a series of similar incidents that the sector has witnessed in recent months, which have resulted in hundreds of injuries and deaths, under humanitarian conditions described by international organizations as "catastrophic and unprecedented."

These incidents reflect the worsening food and humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where residents continue to attempt to access aid amid a suffocating siege, and fears are rising of further deterioration of conditions amid the ongoing aggression and siege imposed on the sector.

PALESTINE

Wed 06 Aug 2025 5:26 am - Jerusalem Time

Following public outrage.. Evacuation of occupation embassy staff from Greece

In the Wake of Popular Anger.. Evacuation of Occupation Embassy Staff from Greece

Israeli media reported that the occupation authorities evacuated their embassy staff in Greece, following the escalation of anti-Israel protests in the capital, Athens, where the city witnessed massive demonstrations against Israeli policies in Gaza and its support for the Israeli aggression on the strip.

The newspaper "Israel Hayom" indicated that the evacuation process came as a result of rising popular anger, as the Greek leftist movement announced the organization of a march to Gaza on August 10, in a clear escalation of the stance rejecting the Israeli aggression, without providing additional details about the march.

In a statement from the movement, reported by the Hebrew newspaper, it confirmed that the Greek people would not remain silent in the face of what it described as the genocide being committed by Israel in Gaza, with the support and complicity of the West and the Greek government, referring to the ongoing aggression on the strip and the refusal of Greek society to remain silent about it.

In a related context, the Greek Communist Party condemned the statements of the Israeli ambassador in Athens, Naom Katz, who expressed his discomfort with Palestinian slogans written on the city’s walls, considering them disgraceful statements, pointing out that the Greek government has become the main defender of the crimes committed against the Palestinian people, under the pretext of a strategic alliance with Israel.

The Israeli ambassador sparked a wave of anger after criticizing pro-Palestinian graffiti, claiming that it offends the feelings of Israeli tourists, but the Mayor of Athens, Harris Doukas, responded strongly, affirming that the Municipality of Athens does not accept interference in its internal affairs and rejects being seen as receiving lessons in democracy from those who kill civilians and children in Gaza daily.

Doukas emphasized that most of the graffiti referred to by the ambassador had been removed, and it is outrageous for the ambassador to focus on wall writings while unprecedented genocide is being committed against Palestinians in Gaza, asserting that Athens respects its visitors and defends its right to freedom of expression.

Since the onset of the Israeli aggression on Gaza on October 7, 2023, Athens and other Greek cities have witnessed widespread demonstrations in support of the Palestinians, led by human rights activists and opposition forces, where protesters raised slogans condemning the aggression and demanding an end to the massacres against civilians.

Protesters also organized demonstrations against the cruise ship "Crown Iris," which docked at some Greek islands carrying hundreds of Israeli tourists, expressing popular anger at the Greek government's complicity with the Israeli occupation.

Amid the ongoing Israeli aggression on Gaza, Palestinian statistics confirm that the aggression has resulted in more than 210,000 martyrs and wounded, the majority of whom are women and children, in addition to more than 9,000 missing under the rubble, and hundreds of thousands of displaced persons, amidst worsening famine that has claimed the lives of dozens, including a large number of children.

ARAB AND WORLD

Wed 06 Aug 2025 4:33 am - Jerusalem Time

In the wake of public anger.. reports of the evacuation of occupation embassy staff from Greece

In the wake of popular anger.. Reports of the evacuation of embassy staff from the occupation in Greece

Israeli media reported that the occupation authorities proceeded to evacuate their embassy staff in Athens due to the escalating anti-occupation protests in the Greek capital. The newspaper "Israel Hayom" stated that the evacuation process came after massive popular demonstrations against Israelis, where protesters expressed their rejection of the Israeli aggression on Gaza and their support for the Palestinians.

In a related context, the Greek left movement announced the organization of a march to the Gaza Strip on August 10, in a clear escalation of the Greek people's stance against the Israeli massacres, although no additional details about the march were provided. A statement from the movement indicated that the Greek people would not remain silent in the face of what it described as "the genocide being committed by Israel with the support of the West and the Greek government in Gaza."

Earlier, the Greek Communist Party condemned the statements of the Israeli ambassador in Athens, Naom Katz, who expressed concern over Palestinian slogans written on the walls of the capital, considering them disgraceful remarks, pointing out that the Greek government has become the main defender of Israeli crimes against the Palestinian people, under the pretext of a strategic alliance with Tel Aviv.

In response to the Israeli ambassador's criticisms, the Mayor of Athens, Haris Doukas, rejected interference in the city's internal affairs, affirming that the Municipality of Athens does not accept lessons in democracy from those who kill civilians and children in Gaza daily. He clarified that most of the pro-Palestinian graffiti has been removed, but he emphasized that the Israeli occupation is committing unprecedented genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza, which is provoking the discontent of Greek society.

Since the onset of the Israeli aggression on Gaza on October 7, 2023, Athens and other Greek cities have witnessed widespread demonstrations in support of the Palestinians, during which protesters raised slogans condemning the aggression and demanding an end to the massacres against civilians. Protesters also organized protests against the cruise ship "Crown Iris," which docked at some Greek islands carrying hundreds of Israeli tourists, in a sign of popular anger at the Greek government's complicity with the occupation.

Amid the escalating Israeli aggression on Gaza, Palestinian statistics confirm that the aggression has resulted in more than 210,000 martyrs and injured, the majority of whom are women and children, in addition to more than 9,000 missing under the rubble, and hundreds of thousands of displaced persons, amidst worsening famine that has claimed the lives of dozens, including a large number of children, in a tragic humanitarian scene that reflects the scale of the humanitarian disaster facing the Palestinian people.

PALESTINE

Wed 06 Aug 2025 4:18 am - Jerusalem Time

Israeli writer: Netanyahu's government has opened the gates of hell for Israel.

Israeli Writer: Netanyahu's Government Has Opened the Gates of Hell on Israel

The Israeli writer Ben Caspit harshly criticized Benjamin Netanyahu's government, describing it as a "bastard government that has opened the gates of hell on its people," and accused it of being disconnected from reality and ignoring the suffering of prisoners in the Gaza Strip. He explained that the current government's priority is no longer to free the prisoners who are "dying of hunger in the tunnels," but rather to protect Netanyahu personally, as its agenda has shifted to "inciting against the Prime Minister's critics and securing his family," which the writer described as a "political and moral nightmare."

Caspit pointed out that Israeli public opinion is in a state of shock and collapse, after horrific scenes of detained prisoners were shown, including Rom Braslavski and Abitar David, who appeared as skeletons. He quoted former Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot saying: "I never imagined I would see Jews dying this way without anyone rushing to save them." He described the government as a "gang lacking mercy and conscience," ignoring the tragedy of soldiers and civilians, and emptying the concept of leadership of its meaning.

He also quoted someone close to Netanyahu stating that the latter is living in a state of "paralysis and fear," which he has not shown since October 7, and that "the arrogance he felt after striking Iran has completely evaporated." He considered that Hamas has succeeded in dragging Israel into a daily war of attrition, and it seems "as if it is enjoying humiliating Israel before the world." He confirmed that Netanyahu missed opportunities for settlement early on when he succumbed to the pressures of his far-right allies, led by Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich.

He emphasized that Israel is currently living in a complex crisis, from a stalled military impasse to a suffocating economic crisis, noting that Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir is "chasing illusions among the ruins of Gaza." He added that "Gaza today is worse than Hiroshima and Nagasaki, yet this government continues this adventure that has opened the gates of hell on Israel."

In a related context, Israeli writer Iris Leil mentioned that Israel bears direct responsibility for the deaths of more than 60,000 Palestinians, including 18,500 children, according to international reports, most notably a report published by The Washington Post about the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). She confirmed that Israel is experiencing the most dangerous diplomatic crisis in its history, with a rising wave of international disgust, and the bridges connecting it to the free world are gradually being demolished.

A report by the Swiss newspaper Le Temps indicated that hunger in the Gaza Strip is deadly, and it is the first time that 100% of the population, numbering 2.1 million, is suffering from severe food insecurity, reaching the point of famine. It clarified that Gaza is completely besieged, with 88% of its land under evacuation orders or classified as military zones.

The Gaza Health Ministry reported in its daily report that the death toll among those waiting for aid has reached 1,516 martyrs, and more than 10,067 injured since May 27, with the toll of Israeli extermination since October 7 rising to 60,933 dead and 150,027 injured.

PALESTINE

Wed 06 Aug 2025 3:19 am - Jerusalem Time

British spy planes over the Gaza Strip.. "transmitting results to Israel"

British Spy Planes Over Gaza Strip.. "Transmitting Results to Israel"

British government sources revealed that special spy planes belonging to the Royal Air Force are conducting regular flights over the Gaza Strip, aimed at gathering accurate intelligence about the movements of ground forces and Israeli captives, and transmitting the results of these operations to Israel.

The newspaper "Israel Hayom" reported that these flights began at the start of the war in October 2023 and are carried out almost daily, focusing on monitoring the movements of convoys, streets, and residential buildings, with the aim of identifying the locations of Israeli captives held in the strip.

The British newspaper "The Times" explained that the British Air Force is using advanced Shadow "R1" aircraft, equipped with high-precision electro-optical and electronic sensors, which can comprehensively scan areas and accurately target specific movements.

Shadow aircraft are among the most advanced spy planes, capable of gathering vital information that assists in search operations for captives and providing immediate intelligence support to Israel, despite the diplomatic tensions between London and Jerusalem, especially after Britain announced its intention to recognize the State of Palestine.

Sources indicated that the last mission of a Shadow aircraft was from the Akrotiri base in Cyprus, before returning to the United Kingdom, without specifying the final destination for current or upcoming reconnaissance missions, amid ongoing ambiguity regarding the extent of Britain's direct involvement in ground military operations.

The British Ministry of Defense confirmed the continuation of reconnaissance flights over Gaza, despite no flights being recorded in recent days, clarifying that the planes that returned to the United Kingdom have not had their missions officially defined yet.

In a related context, monitoring data showed that Britain continues to provide intelligence support to Israel, despite political tensions, as British forces continue to assist Tel Aviv in locating captives and providing vital real-time information.

In light of these developments, the far-left in Britain criticized the intelligence support provided to Israel and attacked the presence of British planes in the region, as activists from the "Action for Palestine" movement stormed a British airbase in June, destroying military equipment, considering that this reflects the extent of British involvement in supporting the Israeli occupation.

This action led to a ban on the movement's activities, amid rising local and international criticism regarding Britain's participation in information-gathering operations for Israel, especially amid the ongoing military escalation in Gaza and the deterioration of humanitarian conditions there.

PALESTINE

Wed 06 Aug 2025 3:06 am - Jerusalem Time

In light of the ongoing genocide in Gaza: What kind of world is being shaped today?

In the Shadow of the Ongoing Genocide War on Gaza: What World is Being Shaped Today?

The genocide and starvation war on the Gaza Strip continues, despite the Israeli occupation's failure to achieve its immediate goals, such as recovering prisoners or eliminating resistance, and displacing the Palestinian people, amidst the complete destruction of infrastructure including schools, hospitals, mosques, and churches, along with ongoing starvation and organized extermination operations. With more than a year and ten months since the war began, signs are emerging on the horizon indicating the formation of a new world as a result of this major battle being fought by the Palestinian people and their supporters from around the world.

Amid the ongoing aggression, the occupation announced its intention to fully occupy the Gaza Strip with clear American support, which portends more martyrs and wounded and further destruction of infrastructure. Nevertheless, the resistance continues its operations despite the difficult circumstances and international pressures, while the repercussions of the war escalate on the future of the Palestinian cause, altering the image of the Zionist entity in the world, alongside rapidly evolving regional and international developments.

Among the most notable new indicators is the increasing global interest in the Palestinian cause, with rising international calls for recognizing the Palestinian state and a two-state solution, despite the challenges in its implementation. The image of the Israeli occupation has also declined unprecedentedly, with Israeli media confirming the deterioration of its international image, as Israeli officials acknowledge a significant diplomatic and media failure, and the diminishing voice of Israel in global arenas.

In another context, the war on Gaza has revealed a deep crisis in international institutions and organizations, which have failed to protect the Palestinian people or provide real support, under American hegemony and a global system suffering from a lack of balance and true justice, imposing possibilities for radical changes in the global system. Additionally, Western civilization, despite its technological and economic advancements, has morally and humanely collapsed in the face of the suffering of the people of Gaza, raising questions about its future and civilizational project.

On the Arab and Islamic front, the past two years have witnessed political and military developments, from the aggression against Lebanon and Syria to the war on Iran, and the challenges faced by regimes, amidst attempts to impose a new Middle Eastern order, with fears of dividing countries into sectarian and denominational states, and increasing Zionist hegemony. All these developments confirm that the region is on the brink of a new Arab and Islamic world, the features of which cannot be precisely defined today, but it is open to many possibilities.

In conclusion, the Battle of the Al-Aqsa Flood and the war on Gaza place the world before a new phase, where the balance of power is changing, and the Palestinian cause emerges as a central axis of conflict, with expectations that the future of this war will lead to the formation of a new world, the features of which cannot be defined today, but it will undoubtedly be different from what it was before.

PALESTINE

Wed 06 Aug 2025 3:05 am - Jerusalem Time

Trump: We are providing $60 million to deliver food to Gaza, and the occupation of Gaza returns to "Israel."

Trump: We are providing $60 million to deliver food to Gaza and the occupation of Gaza returns to "Israel"

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that his administration is working to secure food for the residents of the Gaza Strip, emphasizing that intensive efforts are currently being made to deliver food aid to the population in the area in cooperation with the Israeli occupation.

In press statements made on Tuesday, Trump clarified that the United States has allocated $60 million for this purpose, and that the Israeli occupation will assist in distributing aid to those in need in Gaza.

He pointed out that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is critical, explaining that the residents of the area do not receive enough food, and that the goal is to provide humanitarian assistance and improve the living conditions of the population.

He also noted that Arab countries may contribute to the process of distributing food aid in Gaza, as part of the international community's efforts to alleviate the humanitarian crisis there.

In response to a question about the possibility of the occupation of Gaza, Trump clearly stated: "I cannot say anything about the occupation of Gaza, that matter belongs to Israel," indicating that the final decision rests with the Israeli occupation.

PALESTINE

Wed 06 Aug 2025 3:00 am - Jerusalem Time

Saudi Arabia renews its call to support the two-state solution document and condemns the provocations of the occupation in Al-Aqsa.

Saudi Arabia Renewed Its Call to Support the Two-State Solution Document and Condemns the Provocations of the Occupation at Al-Aqsa

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia renewed, on Tuesday, its call to all member states of the United Nations to support the final document issued by the Conference on the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, which was chaired by the Kingdom in partnership with France. It affirmed that this document constitutes a comprehensive and implementable framework to achieve the two-state solution and enhance international security and peace.

In a statement following the Cabinet session held in Neom, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Minister of Media Salman bin Yusuf Al-Dosari stated that the Kingdom sees this document as an important opportunity to build a more stable future for the peoples of the region, calling on all countries of the world to support and back it.

Al-Dosari pointed out that the council followed the Kingdom's ongoing efforts to support the Palestinian people, especially on the humanitarian front, by continuing to send shelter, medical, and food aid to the Gaza Strip via the Saudi air and sea bridge.

In another context, the Saudi Cabinet strongly condemned the repeated provocative practices by officials of the occupying government against the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, calling on the international community to take urgent action to stop the violations that contradict international laws and norms.

In conclusion of his statement, the Saudi Minister of Media praised the results of the high-level international conference on peaceful settlement, affirming the Kingdom's welcome of the historic announcements made by several countries recognizing the State of Palestine, considering them steps that reflect the international community's commitment to resolving the Palestinian issue in accordance with international resolutions.

PALESTINE

Wed 06 Aug 2025 2:22 am - Jerusalem Time

The occupation injures 3 Palestinians in Ramallah and arrests a journalist in Hebron.

Occupation injures 3 Palestinians in Ramallah and arrests a journalist in Hebron

The Palestinian Red Crescent reported that the number of injured has risen to three Palestinians, due to the Israeli occupation army firing live ammunition during its incursion into the Al-Am'ari camp south of Ramallah. The Red Crescent clarified that the occupation forces prevented its crews from reaching the injured and stationed themselves at the entrance of the main headquarters of the organization on Al-Quds Street near the camp.

The Palestinian news agency "Wafa" reported that three citizens, including a child, were injured by live ammunition during the occupation forces' incursion into the Al-Am'ari camp in the city of Al-Bireh. Local sources indicated that a special force from the occupation army stormed the camp before pushing military vehicles to its entrance and fired live ammunition, resulting in the injury of two young men and a child.

Later, the Red Crescent confirmed that its crews managed to transport a nine-year-old child who was shot in the back, in addition to two young men who were shot in the thigh. Sources indicated that the injuries were a result of gunfire from the occupation forces during the incursion.

In another development, the occupation forces arrested journalist Farah Abu Ayash from her home in the town of Beit Ummar north of Hebron, according to local sources. This step has sparked widespread condemnation among media and human rights circles, which considered the arrest a serious escalation against Palestinian journalism and evidence of the occupation's targeting of media personnel.

The occupation forces also stormed the town of Tamoun south of Tubas and arrested a number of Palestinians during raids in the town of Burqin west of Jenin, amid a heavy presence of military vehicles. The occupation forces continue their aggression on Tulkarem, as they continue to target the city and its camp for the 191st consecutive day, and for the 178th day on the Nur Shams camp, with military reinforcements and intensive movements of infantry and vehicles in the neighborhoods.

This escalation has resulted in the displacement of more than 25,000 Palestinians, and the martyrdom of 14 of them, including a child and two women, in addition to the complete destruction of more than a thousand housing units and partial destruction of another thousand, amid a complete absence of normal life in the camps, according to Wafa agency.

In occupied Jerusalem, the occupation authorities forced the Jerusalemite citizen Amjad Amira to evacuate his home in the town of Sur Baher, in preparation for its demolition as part of the policy of forced demolitions affecting dozens of Palestinian homes. Israeli assaults are escalating in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, resulting in the martyrdom of more than 1,200 Palestinians and the injury of about 7,000, in addition to the arrest of more than 18,000 Palestinians, according to official Palestinian data.

PALESTINE

Wed 06 Aug 2025 12:53 am - Jerusalem Time

A former Israeli ambassador calls on Macron to impose sanctions on Tel Aviv.

Former Israeli Ambassador Calls on Macron to Impose Sanctions on Tel Aviv

Former Israeli ambassador to France, Eli Barnavi, and historian Vincent Lemire, called on French President Emmanuel Macron today, Tuesday, to impose sanctions on Israel, emphasizing the necessity of this action in light of the catastrophic humanitarian situation experienced by the residents of Gaza and the Israeli detainees there.

In an article published by the French newspaper Le Monde, the authors stated, "Mr. President, if immediate sanctions are not imposed on Israel, you will have to acknowledge a graveyard. Action must be taken now to allow food and healthcare supplies to reach Gaza widely."

They pointed out that immediate and tangible sanctions are the only means that will affect Israeli public opinion, which may push the Israeli government to change its policy, with the aim of ending the famine, ensuring a permanent ceasefire, releasing all detainees, protecting Palestinians in the West Bank, and saving Israel from itself.

They also considered that "the excuse of a lack of European consensus is no longer valid," at a time when the French president announced his intention to recognize the State of Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly next September, with Britain and Canada later joining him, reflecting an increasing diplomatic momentum to support the Palestinian cause.

The authors urged France to lead a coalition of European countries willing to impose sanctions, stressing the need to act now, as the situation has become extremely urgent. They noted that Israel approved the annexation of the West Bank by a majority of 71 votes to 13 in the Israeli Knesset last July.

The article addressed criticisms of European double standards, as the European Union issued 18 packages of sanctions against Russia over the past years, yet did not impose any sanctions on Israel despite its ongoing violations, considering that Israel's geographical isolation would make the sanctions more effective and noticeable immediately in all the country's stores.

The authors warned that "Mr. President, do not confuse diplomatic noise with the ground reality. Since your announcement on July 24, everything has changed diplomatically, but nothing has changed in Gaza," adding that "the promise of recognition does not satisfy hunger."

It is worth mentioning that Barnavi served as Israel's ambassador to France from 2000 to 2002, while Lemire is a historian at the University of Paris Est Créteil, and managed the French research center in Jerusalem from 2019 until August 2023.

Since October 2023, the Israeli occupation army, with the support of the United States, has been waging a genocidal war against the residents of the Gaza Strip, resulting so far in the martyrdom of more than 61,000 Palestinians, injuring over 150,000, and displacing nearly all the residents of the strip, amid unprecedented destruction since World War II, according to Palestinian and international reports.

ARAB AND WORLD

Wed 06 Aug 2025 12:35 am - Jerusalem Time

A German team backs out of signing an Israeli player after protests from its fans.

The Fortuna Düsseldorf club, active in the German second division of football, on Tuesday retracted its contract with Israeli player Shon Weissman, following his statements calling for the extermination of Palestinians. The German club stated in a post on X: "We have been closely monitoring Shon Weissman, but we ultimately decided to refrain from signing him." There was much controversy among fans on social media on Monday when news emerged about Weissman's imminent signing with Düsseldorf from Granada in Spain. The newspaper "Bild" reported that the club succumbed to the outrage of its fans over Weissman's statements on social media and decided not to proceed with the deal despite the player arriving in Düsseldorf. Weissman (29 years old) was about to enter the field for his first training session when he was called aside and informed that the idea of signing him was officially canceled. The striker had called in posts on social media for "wiping Gaza off the map" and "dropping 200 tons of bombs on it." He also liked posts featuring images of Gazans and questioned: "Why don't they shoot them in the head?" Weissman, who deleted the posts shortly after publishing them, later stated that he made a mistake and was acting in a moment of emotional impulse. Düsseldorf fans launched an online petition on Monday stating that Weissman's "disrespectful and discriminatory comments... starkly contradict the principles that Fortuna defends and seeks to promote."

PALESTINE

Wed 06 Aug 2025 12:24 am - Jerusalem Time

Johnson's visit to "Ariel".. an American endorsement of settlement and a challenge to the two-state solution.

Johnson's Visit Reflects Clear Support for the Settlement Project and Challenges International Efforts to Revitalize the Two-State Solution

In a symbolic and controversial move, US House Speaker Mike Johnson, accompanied by a delegation of Republican members of Congress, visited the Ariel settlement, built on Palestinian land in the northern occupied West Bank. This is the first visit of its kind at this high level. The visit comes amid growing international criticism of Israel over its ongoing aggression against the Gaza Strip, and coincides with an increase in Western and European recognition of the State of Palestine.


With this visit, the Israeli government and settler councils are seeking to create new facts on the ground through high-level political visits, with the aim of lending international and symbolic legitimacy to Israel's demands to impose sovereignty over the West Bank. During his visit to the settlement, which he described as "part of the land of the Jewish people," Johnson participated in symbolic activities such as planting trees, emphasizing "the importance of every corner of this country to us, especially since it is the cradle of our faith," referring to the occupied Palestinian territories, which right-wing Israeli discourse considers part of "Judea and Samaria," according to the biblical term.


In a diplomatic precedent with profound symbolic connotations, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, hosted Johnson and his wife, Kelly Lari, on Monday evening in the Shiloh settlement, north of Ramallah and al-Bireh. The visit was attended by US Ambassador to Tel Aviv Mike Huckabee and several members of Congress. This visit, which was titled "Strengthening Strategic Relations," is an implicit signal from Washington that it endorses Israeli sovereignty over the settlements, given the expansion of the settlement project and the undermining of any prospect for a two-state solution.


The visit threatens to pose further challenges to international efforts to revive the diplomatic track based on a two-state solution, especially with the escalation of tensions on the ground in the Palestinian territories. Analyzing the Israeli position, this visit carries serious political implications. Never before has a US official of this rank visited a settlement in the West Bank, even though Johnson holds the third-highest position in the US administration after the president and vice president.


From the Israeli perspective, this visit underscores the deep gap between the increasingly vocal international support for recognizing a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders and unconditional US support for Israel, even during times of political and legal isolation. Channel 7's political correspondent, Dvir Amar, noted that the visit carries dimensions that go beyond mere protocol and express a shift in US engagement with the West Bank, especially after voices within Congress began calling for Israel to exercise full sovereignty over the territories of Judea and Samaria.


In the context of political coverage, the newspaper Israel Hayom quoted the head of the Binyamin settlement council, Yisrael Gantz, as saying that hosting Johnson reflects the Israeli right's vision for long-term goals. He emphasized that the Trump administration supported Israeli sovereignty over Judea and Samaria, and that these territories have become a permanent part of the Jewish state.


From the perspective of Israeli analyst Elisha Ben Kimon, Gantz's statements during the visit carry profound political connotations and constitute a clear message to the international community in light of the major transformations in the region, particularly with the ongoing war on Gaza, increasing international pressure on Israel, and the accelerating European recognition of a Palestinian state. He believes that the main message is that Israel will not wait for international processes, but will impose its sovereignty de facto, taking advantage of the political moment and alliances within Congress.


Settlement

West Bank

Israeli Sovereignty

PALESTINE

Tue 05 Aug 2025 10:17 pm - Jerusalem Time

The father of an Israeli prisoner calls on Zamir to withdraw the army from Gaza and besiege the government headquarters.

The father of an Israeli prisoner calls on Zamir to withdraw the army from Gaza and besiege the government headquarters

Yehuda Cohen, the father of prisoner Nimrod held in the Gaza Strip, called on Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir to withdraw Israeli forces from Gaza and besiege the government and Knesset headquarters in occupied Jerusalem, in an interview via the "X" platform with the Knesset channel. Cohen demanded that Zamir resign and issue orders to his military units to leave Gaza, directing them to impose a siege on the offices of the Israeli government and parliament, in a move that reflects the anger of the families of prisoners over the ongoing aggression against the Strip.

Since October 7, 2023, Israel has been waging a campaign of genocide against Gaza, involving killing, destruction, starvation, and forced displacement, ignoring international calls and orders from the International Court of Justice to cease operations. This war has resulted in the deaths and injuries of more than 211,000 Palestinians, the majority of whom are children and women, with over 9,000 missing, in addition to hundreds of thousands of displaced persons, amidst a famine that has claimed many lives.

In a related context, Yehuda Cohen criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in statements reported by the newspaper "Yedioth Ahronoth," for his intention to reoccupy the Gaza Strip, considering that the Israeli government has betrayed the country, and that the only solution is to take steps to weaken it. He called for Zamir to lead the 98th Division to the Knesset and besiege it, with the aim of ending what he described as the "killer" government.

Tel Aviv estimates that there are about 50 Israeli prisoners in Gaza, including 20 who are alive, while Israel holds more than 10,800 Palestinians in its prisons, who suffer from torture, hunger, and medical neglect, leading to the deaths of many of them, according to Palestinian and Israeli human rights and media reports.

In the context of developments, the Hebrew broadcasting authority reported from unnamed ministers that Netanyahu decided to expand military operations in Gaza, despite disagreements with the security establishment, while Chief of Staff Zamir expressed his rejection of the expansion of operations, considering that the forces have reached their maximum limits, and that there is a necessity to move towards a ceasefire and a prisoner exchange. According to media sources, Netanyahu's intention is to reoccupy the Strip, after Israel had occupied it for 38 years between 1967 and 2005.

Last week, Israel withdrew from indirect negotiations with Hamas in Doha, after Tel Aviv's obstinacy regarding withdrawal from Gaza, ending the war, releasing Palestinian prisoners, and distributing humanitarian aid. A poll showed that more than half of Israelis hold the government responsible for the failure to reach an agreement with Hamas, while the movement confirms its readiness to release Israeli prisoners in exchange for ending the war and stopping the aggression, which the Israeli government rejects, fearing its collapse if the extremist wing that opposes ending the war withdraws.

Internally in Israel, the Prime Minister faces corruption charges and the possibility of imprisonment if convicted, while the International Criminal Court is demanding his arrest on charges of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity against Palestinians in Gaza. Historically, Israel continues to occupy Palestinian, Syrian, and Lebanese territories, refuses to withdraw from them, and insists on not establishing an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital on the 1967 borders.

PALESTINE

Tue 05 Aug 2025 10:16 pm - Jerusalem Time

The death of a prisoner from Gaza, handcuffed, in an Israeli detention center.

Death of a prisoner from Gaza handcuffed in an Israeli detention center

The Israeli newspaper Haaretz revealed the death of a Palestinian prisoner from the Gaza Strip who was held in an interrogation center belonging to the Israeli internal security service (Shin Bet), which remained unknown for a long time despite the occupation being aware of it. The newspaper clarified that the prisoner was 40 years old and died in January 2024 after falling from a height while in the interrogation center, with his hands tightly shackled.

The newspaper pointed out that the body of the dead was transferred without any identifying information, leading to it being registered as "unknown," even though the Shin Bet knows his identity precisely. According to investigative sources cited by the newspaper, it was claimed that the cause of death was his fall from a significant height while attempting to escape from the place where he was being interrogated, despite his hands being completely shackled.

Autopsy results showed that the death was due to a fall from a significant height, with signs indicating that the detainee had been handcuffed for a long time before his death. The Ministry of Justice confirmed that the investigation into the circumstances of the death had concluded, and no evidence was found indicating criminal suspicions, despite the death occurring while he was in state custody, raising questions about the negligence of the concerned authorities, especially the Shin Bet, which refused to comment on the incident.

In a related context, the newspaper reported that since the beginning of the war, at least six cases of death of Palestinians have been recorded while being interrogated by the Shin Bet, amid the ongoing policy of slow killing and abuse against Palestinian prisoners. While Israel releases some prisoners from time to time, it continues to detain large numbers of them under harsh and inhumane conditions.

In another development, the Office of Prisoners' Media in Gaza announced that the occupation authorities released nine prisoners yesterday, Monday, who had been held in custody, as they arrived at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital via the Kisufim gate east of Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip. The release of these prisoners is considered a limited step amid the ongoing mass arrests and abuse of Palestinian prisoners.

The occupation authorities classify about 1,747 prisoners from Gaza as "illegal combatants," a dangerous classification used to undermine their international legal rights, allowing their detention in closed military camps that are not subject to any oversight or accountability. Testimonies from released prisoners confirm that the practices of the occupation include serious violations, including physical and psychological torture, deliberate medical neglect, solitary confinement, and deprivation of food and healthcare.

According to international law experts, these practices constitute clear violations of the Fourth Geneva Convention and rise to the level of war crimes and crimes against humanity, amid a complete international silence and clear Western complicity. A recent Palestinian report showed that the number of prisoners in the occupation's prisons reached about 10,800 by the beginning of July, including 49 women and 450 children, the highest number since the Al-Aqsa Intifada in 2000.

PALESTINE

Tue 05 Aug 2025 10:14 pm - Jerusalem Time

"The Red Cross": Opportunities to save lives in Gaza diminish day by day.

"The Red Cross": Opportunities to Save Lives in Gaza Diminish Day by Day

The International Committee of the Red Cross warned on Tuesday of the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, noting that opportunities to save lives are rapidly diminishing as the escalation and blockade on the territory continue. The international organization called for the swift and unhindered flow of essential humanitarian aid to the civilian population suffering from severe shortages of food and medicine.

The committee explained that there is readiness to expand aid delivery operations safely, emphasizing the need to facilitate their passage immediately and sustainably. It confirmed that the acute shortage of food supplies is increasing day by day, and time is running out to save lives before it is too late. The organization stated that "the window of opportunity to save lives in Gaza is diminishing day by day, and urgent action must be taken now."

In another context, Israel has begun implementing a plan to distribute aid through an entity called the "Gaza Humanitarian Relief Foundation," supported by the Israeli occupation and the United States, which the United Nations rejects. Since the start of this mechanism, the toll of Palestinian martyrs has risen to 1,568, with more than 11,230 injured, due to daily gunfire on those waiting for aid, according to data from the Ministry of Health in Gaza.

The International Committee emphasized the necessity of reaching an agreement between Israel and Hamas for a prisoner exchange and a ceasefire, asserting that the only solution to end the suffering of prisoners and their families, in addition to millions of residents in Gaza, is to reach a sustainable agreement among the concerned parties. It confirmed its readiness to facilitate the delivery of medicines and food, and to convey information about Israeli prisoners held in Gaza to their families.

The committee organizes the transfer of released prisoners by Hamas and Israel, and coordinates regularly with the concerned parties to ensure the safety of the operations. In another context, the Ministry of Health in Gaza announced that the number of martyrs since the beginning of the aggression has risen to 188, including 94 children, in addition to hundreds of wounded, due to the blockade and systematic starvation that Gaza has been subjected to since October 7, 2023.

International organizations and Palestinian authorities accuse the Israeli occupation, with American support, of genocidal policies in Gaza, which include killing, starvation, destruction, and forced displacement, ignoring international calls and legal orders to stop these crimes. These policies have left more than 211,000 Palestinians dead or injured, with thousands missing and displaced, in addition to a famine that has claimed the lives of many civilians, especially children and women.

PALESTINE

Tue 05 Aug 2025 9:32 pm - Jerusalem Time

Settlers attack the Bab al-Rahma cemetery in occupied Jerusalem.

Ahmad Awad Samrin, a member of the Bab al-Rahma Cemetery Committee and a member of the Silwan clans, confirmed that the Bab al-Rahma Cemetery is witnessing the "largest fierce attack" by settlers, in a continuous context of violations targeting Islamic sites in the occupied city of Jerusalem.

Samrin explained that "this is not the first time the cemetery has been targeted; we have previously witnessed repeated attempts to cut parts of it, open Talmudic pathways, in addition to attempts to dig a base for the 'cable car' project, which poses a direct threat to the sanctity of the cemetery and its historical and religious significance."

He pointed out that the Bab al-Rahma Cemetery, located on the eastern side of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, is one of the oldest Islamic cemeteries in Jerusalem, dating back over 1400 years, and contains the graves of several companions of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, as well as prominent figures in Islamic history.

Samrin emphasized that these violations are part of ongoing attempts to erase the Islamic and Arab identity of the city, calling on official and popular bodies to take urgent action to protect the cemetery and uphold the sanctity of the deceased and the rights of the living to defend their holy sites.

ARAB AND WORLD

Tue 05 Aug 2025 9:31 pm - Jerusalem Time

The increasing momentum for the occupation of the Gaza Strip and hints from Trump that he supports such a decision.

The momentum is increasing for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plans to expand military operations and occupy the entire Gaza Strip, as Netanyahu is set to discuss this move with senior defense officials on Tuesday. Defense Minister Israel Katz promised "professional implementation" of any decision made by the government.

A source familiar with the matter in Washington reported that U.S. President Donald Trump understands the dilemma Netanyahu faces in Gaza and the awkwardness of the moment for the hostages, and therefore he will support Netanyahu's decision if made.

The source, who requested anonymity, stated that Trump's support should not be surprising, as the president has publicly stated that Netanyahu should "complete the mission" and achieve a total victory for Israel over Hamas.

Last week, the U.S. president stated that Hamas does not want a deal.

Netanyahu met with defense officials on Tuesday evening to discuss his military plans, and he will hold a separate meeting of the security cabinet this week "to direct [Israeli defense forces] on how to achieve the three war objectives that Netanyahu announced since he launched his war on the devastated sector: "defeating the enemy (Hamas), releasing the hostages, and ensuring that Gaza does not threaten Israel again," according to a statement from Netanyahu's office on Monday.

These moves indicate that efforts to reach a ceasefire with Hamas in the sector have reached their end, or at least to the brink of the utmost edge.

The White House did not respond to questions about the Israeli plans on Monday and declined to elaborate on comments made by Steve Witkoff, the special envoy for President Donald Trump for negotiations, on Saturday. Witkoff told the families of the hostages in Tel Aviv that his proposal for a temporary ceasefire and the return of about half of the twenty Israeli hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza "does not succeed, and we have tried everything."

Witkoff stated that Trump "now believes that everyone should go home all at once. No piecemeal deals." He said the administration is in the process of drafting a new plan "all or nothing." Both sides have rejected elements of Witkoff's proposal that was on the table.

The State Department declined to comment. The details of the administration's new approach - or how it relates to Netanyahu's new military plans - remain unclear, according to informed sources.

Officials in Qatar and Egypt, who have been mediating with the United States in talks between Israel and Hamas since the onset of the ongoing conflict for nearly two years, stated that they are unaware of any new U.S. agreement for a ceasefire.

While right-wing members of Netanyahu's government have long supported full control over Gaza, senior security officials have repeatedly insisted in public statements that Israel has achieved its military objectives of eliminating Hamas's ability to govern Gaza or launch military attacks, according to Israeli media reports.

The Israeli occupation army claims it already controls more than 75 percent of Gaza, a densely populated area of 141 square miles. The United Nations has stated that only 12 percent of Gaza lies outside the Israeli military zone or areas not affected by Israeli Defense Forces evacuation orders. The majority of Gaza's 2.2 million residents now live in tent camps in the southern part of the sector.

According to U.S. security claims, the Israeli occupation army has mostly refrained from operating in areas where Israeli intelligence indicates hostages are being held. Families of the hostages and many Israeli security officials have long stated that reaching a negotiated agreement is the only way to bring the majority of the captives home.

ARAB AND WORLD

Tue 05 Aug 2025 9:30 pm - Jerusalem Time

Democratic Representative Jayapal condemns the genocide and systematic starvation in Gaza and calls for their immediate cessation.

U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (Democrat from Washington) issued a statement warning that the current situation in Gaza will worsen and collapse steadily, causing an escalating and unprecedented famine in the 21st century, unless immediate emergency steps are taken.

It is noted that Representative Jayapal is a member of the "Progressive Squad," alongside Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Ilhan Omar (Minnesota), Rashida Tlaib (Michigan), and Ayanna Pressley (Massachusetts).

Jayapal stated, "Every day, month after month, we witness in America, and share, horrific and shocking images from Gaza. The population has been subjected to systematic starvation, civilian infrastructure has been destroyed, and areas classified as 'safe' have been bombed. To bring about the radical change we need in U.S. policy to stop what is happening and ensure humanitarian aid reaches Gaza immediately, we must confront the bitter truths. I believe it is time to acknowledge that the Israeli government is committing genocide in Gaza."

The veteran representative explained that the term genocide was codified under the Genocide Convention of 1948 in direct response to the Holocaust – "a horror in which six million Jews and millions of others were systematically and horrifically killed, leading to the destruction of Jewish communities across Europe," noting that the United States ratified the Genocide Convention during the presidency of Ronald Reagan in 1988, aimed at distinguishing it from the actions of other parties, so that actors could intervene to protect lives when there is a risk of genocide occurring.

The convention defines both intent and actions as part of the determination process. In Gaza, since October 7, more than 60,000 Palestinians have been killed (most of them women and children), including over 870 infants, and nearly 150,000 have been injured. Hundreds have died from malnutrition, as the Israeli government has prevented humanitarian aid from reaching them or limited it to dangerous and restricted distribution centers. Israeli soldiers have shot large numbers of Palestinians even while they were attempting to obtain food from designated sites. Additionally, 90% of Gaza's population has been displaced from their homes and communities, forced to flee repeatedly to often unsafe and unhealthy conditions.

Representative Jayapal added, "We have also witnessed the repeated and indiscriminate destruction of civilian infrastructure, including homes, schools, universities, hospitals, religious sites, and agricultural land, making it nearly impossible for Palestinians to rebuild themselves as a community, which is a key factor in genocide. Senior Israeli officials have repeatedly made clear the intent behind these systematic actions, referring to the Palestinian people as 'human animals,' and asserting that 'there are no innocents in Gaza,' or calling for the complete displacement of all Palestinian populations, which is essentially ethnic cleansing."

The representative highlighted that, "The United States is the largest arms supplier to Israel, providing the Israeli government with billions of dollars in military aid. We have failed to enforce our domestic laws on these military shipments and ignored international humanitarian laws. This makes us complicit in this genocide. Now, we must do everything in our power to fulfill our legal obligations by refusing to fund war weapons for the Israeli government, and by using all our influence and diplomatic expertise to end this war and achieve lasting peace for both Israelis and Palestinians. Recently, prominent voices, including Israeli experts and prominent American Jews in the Holocaust and genocide fields, have considered what is happening to be genocide. After conducting in-depth field research, many Israeli human rights organizations have similarly concluded. I have been deeply moved by the wisdom of these Jewish experts who described what is happening in Gaza as genocide. This is the kind of wisdom that is painfully forged in the crucible of deep suffering."

The representative stated that she recognizes "the deep pain that the use of the word genocide may carry for many of my Jewish voters, friends, and allies, given the origins of the word and the horrors of the Holocaust. Please know that I will continue to stand fully and completely against anti-Semitism, condemn the terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas on October 7, 2023, and strongly call for the immediate and unconditional return of all hostages. As our moral and legal obligations dictate, we must have the capacity to express our rejection of the horrors of October 7 and the horrors of genocide that are now unfolding in Gaza and the West Bank."

Jayapal concluded her statement: "I sincerely hope that the more we accept the reality of what is happening, the more likely it is that U.S. policy will change to stop supporting and inciting this farce, and ultimately, that America will play an important role in negotiating a lasting peace for both Israelis and Palestinians."


PALESTINE

Tue 05 Aug 2025 9:28 pm - Jerusalem Time

An Israeli report reveals Netanyahu's refusal to finalize a prisoner exchange deal.

Israeli Report Reveals Netanyahu's Rejection of a Prisoner Exchange Deal

Israeli Channel 13 revealed in a special report that government talks took place months ago regarding a deal to end the Gaza war and exchange prisoners, showing that the political leadership headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected security proposals that would have led to the release of detainees in preparation for resuming fighting later.

According to the report, Israeli security leaders have been convinced since last March, after the first phase of the previous agreement ended, that reaching a comprehensive agreement was possible; however, the political decision prevented that, leading to a continued state of stalemate.

Leaked protocols show that initial discussions began in early March when the military's detainee file officer, Nitzan Alon, stated that the only opportunity to return the detainees was through a deal, but Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer refused to proceed in this direction, asserting that Israel was not ready to end the war while Hamas remained in power.

At the same time, the head of the internal security service (Shabak), Ronen Bar, expressed his preference to proceed with a deal to return all detainees and then continue fighting until Hamas is defeated, as he put it, a position that reflects differing viewpoints within the security establishment.

However, the political leadership rejected the approach towards a prisoner exchange deal, especially since Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich considered the option of stopping the war and then returning to it after the release of Palestinian prisoners as ignorance, which further complicated negotiations.

In family reactions, the families of the detainees described the leaked talks as "dangerous," asserting that the Israeli government continues the war for political reasons and works to thwart efforts to release the prisoners, without any real concern for the interests of Palestinian detainees or their families.

Israel estimates that there are about 50 Israeli captives in Gaza, of whom 20 are alive, while more than 10,800 Palestinians are imprisoned in its jails suffering from torture, hunger, and medical neglect, which has led to the deaths of many of them, according to Palestinian and Israeli human rights and media reports.

In a related context, Israel withdrew from indirect negotiations with Hamas in Doha, sponsored by Qatar and Egypt, and supported by the United States, due to Tel Aviv's rigid positions regarding withdrawal from Gaza, ending the war, releasing Palestinian prisoners, and the mechanism for distributing humanitarian aid.

In repeated statements, Hamas announced its readiness to release Israeli prisoners all at once in exchange for ending the genocide war, the withdrawal of the occupation from Gaza, and the release of Palestinian prisoners, but Netanyahu evades this and imposes new conditions, including disarming Palestinian factions, and insists on reoccupying Gaza.

PALESTINE

Tue 05 Aug 2025 9:25 pm - Jerusalem Time

Israeli source: Netanyahu has decided to proceed with the occupation of the Gaza Strip.

Israeli Source: Netanyahu Decided to Move Towards the Occupation of Gaza

Hebrew media revealed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made a decision to move towards the occupation of the Gaza Strip, following extensive security consultations he held with several ministers and military officials. An informed source stated that Netanyahu's direction is to carry out a complete occupation of the territory, in a step aimed at imposing control over the area permanently.

The Israeli Broadcasting Authority indicated that the three-hour meeting discussed a plan to encircle the city of Gaza and the central camps, without disclosing the names of the attendees. Additionally, Netanyahu did not invite Finance Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir to a crucial meeting regarding the next steps, despite their membership in the "Cabinet" security council.

In a related context, sources confirmed that the "Cabinet" will hold additional sessions to discuss the expansion of military operations in Gaza, while reports indicated that the new decision would allow the army to operate in areas that were previously off-limits to Israeli forces, for fear of the deaths of Israeli prisoners held in the territory.

The newspaper "Haaretz" revealed that Netanyahu presented the "Cabinet" with a plan to occupy parts of Gaza, a plan that receives American support, following statements from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who considered Israel's decision to withdraw from Gaza in 2005 unwise. Historically, Israel occupied Gaza for 38 years between 1967 and 2005, and since October 2023 has continued to wage a genocidal war involving killing, destruction, and forced displacement, ignoring international calls and orders from the International Court of Justice to stop the aggression.

In another context, Netanyahu's office confirmed that the Israeli army is ready to implement any decision made by the Cabinet, as the Chief of Staff of the army, Eyal Zamir, presented options for continuing the war, despite his opposition to the occupation of Gaza during discussions with Netanyahu, but he pledged to carry out political orders. Zamir clarified that the army will take any action decided by the political level, and the final decision will be presented to the Cabinet next Thursday.

In field developments, the Israeli army canceled recruitment orders requiring soldiers to continue in reserve service for four months, due to the exhaustion it is experiencing amid a shortage of combat troops, according to the Israeli Broadcasting Authority. This comes after the army began in May to carry out a ground aggression named "Gideon's Chariots," which involves the forced displacement of Palestinians from northern and central Gaza to the south, with a permanent army presence in the occupied areas.

In a political context, Israel withdrew from indirect negotiations with Hamas in Doha, after Tel Aviv's obstinacy regarding withdrawal from Gaza, ending the war, releasing Palestinian prisoners, and distributing humanitarian aid. A poll showed that more than half of Israelis hold the government responsible for the failure to reach an agreement with Hamas, while Hamas confirms its readiness to release Israeli prisoners in exchange for ending the war and stopping the aggression.

Reports indicate that Netanyahu prefers to make partial deals that ensure his continued stay in power, fearing the collapse of his government, which faces corruption charges, and the International Criminal Court's demand for his arrest on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity against Palestinians in Gaza.

PALESTINE

Tue 05 Aug 2025 9:25 pm - Jerusalem Time

Hebrew media: Israel offers Johnson maps on how to annex the West Bank

Hebrew Media: Israel Offers Johnson Maps on How to Annex the West Bank

Hebrew media revealed that Israel presented U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson with maps and documents related to how to implement the plan to impose sovereignty over the occupied West Bank, in a move that could end any possibility of achieving a two-state solution according to international resolutions. The newspaper "Israel Hayom" reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Johnson yesterday, Monday, in the settlement of "Shilo" northeast of Ramallah, where he informed U.S. officials that there was no escape from making a military decision in Gaza, referring to the possibility of reoccupying the territory after Israel occupied it for 38 years between 1967 and 2005.

These developments come amid ongoing Israeli escalation since October 7, 2023, where Israel is waging a genocidal war on the Gaza Strip, resulting in the deaths of more than 211,000 Palestinians, including many children and women, in addition to injuring about 7,000 others, and arresting more than 18,000 Palestinians, with widespread destruction of infrastructure and forced displacement of residents. Israel has ignored international calls and court orders to stop the aggression, continuing its operations of killing, destruction, and displacement.

In the West Bank, Israeli authorities presented the American delegation with maps and documents related to how to implement the annexation plan, without the newspaper disclosing details of these maps or the nature of the documents. The annexation of the West Bank would mark the end of any hope for establishing an independent Palestinian state, as it contradicts United Nations resolutions that affirm the two-state solution. The American delegation also met with the Yesha Council for settlements, accompanied by the mayor of the "Ariel" settlement, Yair Shtefan, who visited the settlement for the first time and claimed that "Judea and Samaria (the biblical name for the West Bank) belong to the Jewish people."

The Palestinian presidency condemned Johnson's visit to the "Ariel" settlement, considering that the statements of the American official contradict international law and represent a serious escalation in the policy of occupation. Johnson, who is considered the third most important figure in the U.S. government, is the highest-ranking official to visit the occupied West Bank, while he arrived in Tel Aviv accompanied by Republican lawmakers, in the context of Washington's ongoing support for the policies of occupation.

In the context of the escalation, Israel continues to expand settlements and displace Palestinians from their occupied lands, in an attempt to impose a new reality on the ground, amid the ongoing Palestinian resistance against the occupation. Since the beginning of the aggression on Gaza, the occupation and settlers have killed more than a thousand Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and thousands have been injured, while the number of arrests increases daily, in an attempt to impose complete control over Palestinian territories.

PALESTINE

Tue 05 Aug 2025 5:20 pm - Jerusalem Time

Hebrew media reveals details of the occupation government's meeting regarding Gaza and the cost of controlling the sector.

Hebrew media reveals details of the occupation government's meeting regarding Gaza and the cost of controlling the sector

The Hebrew newspaper Israel Hayom revealed on Tuesday that Israeli occupation government Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not invite National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to participate in the high-level meeting held to discuss future steps regarding the Gaza Strip.

The newspaper indicated that initial estimates suggest that the cost of imposing full control over the sector may range between 2.9 and 5.8 billion dollars, while the issue remains under discussion within the cabinet, amid sharp disagreements among government members regarding the feasibility of this option and its long-term economic and military implications.

The newspaper quoted a government official as saying that "the financial costs of this control are still under discussion in the corridors of the government," amid a clear division between political and military institutions regarding the feasibility of implementing such an option, and the potential consequences on both economic and security fronts.

This discussion comes at a time when tensions in Gaza are escalating, with ongoing military escalation, amid fears of wide-ranging repercussions on the region, especially with the continued blockade imposed on the sector and the increasing pace of military operations by the occupation.

PALESTINE

Tue 05 Aug 2025 3:45 pm - Jerusalem Time

"Gilain Barieh".. A rare disease spreading in Gaza and threatening children's lives.

"Guillain-Barré Syndrome".. A rare disease spreading in Gaza that threatens children's lives

Under the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip, a new health threat emerges that endangers the lives of the population, especially children, with dozens of cases of the rare and dangerous Guillain-Barré Syndrome being reported. This disease, which attacks the nervous system, causes sudden paralysis and can lead to death, and its prevalence has noticeably increased in recent weeks.

According to the Ministry of Health in Gaza, 95 cases of the syndrome have been recorded, including 45 cases among children, with three deaths reported in just the last week, an unprecedented rise compared to the normal rate of no more than one case per year in the region. The director general of the ministry, Dr. Munir Al-Bursh, explained that the disease begins with the loss of the ability to move the muscles in the lower limbs, then gradually extends to other parts of the body, which can cause difficulty in breathing and even death.

Al-Bursh pointed out that the outbreak of the disease reflects the collapse of the health system due to the Israeli siege, which prevents the entry of necessary medicines and nutrients, emphasizing that the disease is directly linked to water pollution and malnutrition, especially among children. He confirmed that the deterioration of the health situation reflects a humanitarian disaster exacerbated by water pollution and the collapse of sanitation services, creating a fertile environment for the spread of diseases.

Activists expressed their concern that toxic environmental conditions, resulting from widespread pollution, could lead to a broader spread of the disease, warning that the continuation of the current situation could result in a health disaster greater than hunger itself. They emphasized that the weakened immunity of the population, especially children, makes the disease more lethal, warning that the absence of appropriate treatment could lead to mass deaths in the region.

Citizens shared testimonies of sudden cases of infection, including the story of the child Amir Dhahir, who suffered complete paralysis and died after a week, along with other accounts of children experiencing loss of movement and paralysis in their limbs, with the absence of effective treatment in Gaza. They called for urgent intervention from international health organizations to provide medicines and treatment, warning of an impending health disaster if neglect and the absence of international support continue.

In a related context, bloggers held the Israeli occupation responsible for the spread of diseases, through systematic policies aimed at destroying infrastructure, especially water and sanitation networks, which led to the deterioration of health and living conditions, creating a suitable environment for the spread of epidemics. Others viewed these policies as aimed at emptying the sector of its population, not only through bombing and starvation but also by destroying the health environment, making life impossible and threatening the existence of the population.

PALESTINE

Tue 05 Aug 2025 1:04 pm - Jerusalem Time

Twelve New Palestinian Academics Awarded HESPAL Scholarship to Study in the UK



    •    Scholars were recognised at pre-departure gathering in Ramallah – the group includes seven women and five men, with four scholars from Gaza
    •    Representing six Palestinian universities, they will pursue studies at eight UK institutions


The British Council in the Occupied Palestinian Territories is proud to announce the latest cohort of scholars awarded the Higher Education Scholarship for Palestinians (HESPAL). Marking HESPAL’s 15th anniversary, twelve outstanding Palestinian academics will begin their postgraduate studies in the UK this October as part of the 2025–2026 academic year.
The scholars were recognised at the annual pre-departure event held on last week in Ramallah. The evening brought together HESPAL alumni, university representatives, funding partners, and British Council staff for a moment of connection, encouragement, and community-building. It offered the new cohort the chance to network with the alumni and partners, and to prepare for the academic and personal journey ahead.
In her opening remarks, Shahida MacDougall, Country Director at the British Council in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, said:
‘We strongly believe in the transformative power of education to help communities heal, rebuild and recover and HESPAL is as a powerful testament of such power. We look ahead to the day when HESPAL scholars, especially those from Gaza, return to take part in the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip and the rebuilding academic institutions for the ultimate benefit of their communities across Palestine.’
The new group of scholars includes seven women and five men, four of whom are from Gaza. They represent six Palestinian universities and will be studying across eight universities in the UK. Each scholar will pursue a master’s degree in a range of disciplines including STEM, medical studies, urban planning, and emerging technologies.
Dr. Samir Jarrad, Representative of the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development, reaffirmed in the event the Arab Fund’s strategic partnership with HESPAL, highlighting the Fund’s longstanding commitment to investing in the higher education sector as a pathway to national development. He commended the calibre of this year’s scholars, the strong presence of women in the cohort, and the relevance of the subject areas being pursued—particularly those that align with national priorities and the future reconstruction needs of Palestine. He also underscored the importance of sustained collaboration to ensure the programme’s continued impact and expansion.
The new cohort joins an existing group of 23 HESPAL scholars already studying in the UK across 13 universities. Ten of these MA students are expected to complete their studies end of September, while one scholar from Gaza will finish in January 2026. Twelve other HESPAL scholars are continuing their PhD studies as part of the programme.
Dr. Basri Saleh, Deputy Minister of the Palestinian Ministry of Education and Higher Education highlighted the alignment of HESPAL’s mission with the Palestinian National priorities for Higher Education, and emphasized the importance of the new subject fields and emerging technologies that HESPAL scholars are pursuing, noting that these areas of study are essential not only for meeting the current and future needs of universities in the West Bank, but also for rebuilding and revitalizing the devastated higher education sector in Gaza.
Reflecting on winning the scholarship, Mohammad Helles, an awarded scholar from Gaza, said:
"Like a phoenix, we rise from ashes. For me, the HESPAL scholarship is not just a scholarship, but rather a true opportunity to restart, grow, and redefine my path. I look forward to gaining world-class knowledge and forging lasting connections, so I can return to Palestine empowered to drive meaningful change in education and beyond."
Founded in 2010 and developed in partnership with Palestinian and UK universities, HESPAL is a unique scholarship scheme supporting the capacity-building of academics and the institutional development of higher education institutions in Palestine. In 2024, the British Council launched a new HESPAL track dedicated specifically to Gazan university academics and scholars in response to the war and destruction of the education system. This year, the programme marks its 15th anniversary.
HESPAL is made possible by the support of four key funding partners: the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development, Pears Foundation, the Amjad & Suha Bseisu Foundation, and the UK Department for Education.

For more information, please contact: [email protected]


About the British Council
The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. We do this through our work in arts and culture, education and the English language. We work with people in over 200 countries and territories and are on the ground in more than 100 countries. In 2022–23 we reached 600 million people.
www.britishcouncil.org



PALESTINE

Tue 05 Aug 2025 12:07 pm - Jerusalem Time

Spanish Foreign Ministry: We reject any illegal annexation of Gaza or the West Bank.

Spanish Foreign Ministry: We reject any illegal annexation of Gaza or the West Bank

The Spanish Foreign Ministry expressed its firm rejection of any attempt to illegally annex Palestinian territories, emphasizing that such actions contradict international laws and pose an obstacle to achieving the two-state solution sought by the international community.

The ministry clarified that any step in this direction would lead to an escalation of tensions and hinder peace efforts, stressing that a just and comprehensive solution must be in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions and established peace references.

In a related context, the Spanish Foreign Minister confirmed that his country firmly rejects any unilateral actions aimed at changing the legal and historical status of Palestinian territories, calling on the international community to take decisive positions to stop such policies.

Regarding the situation in the Gaza Strip, he pointed out that Spain supports the international community's efforts to provide humanitarian aid and pressure the occupation to stop its violations, affirming that a political solution is the only way to end the crisis and achieve lasting peace.

In a related context, Hebrew sources revealed that the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump granted the green light to launch a large-scale military operation against Hamas in Gaza, aiming for a complete occupation of the strip and a military resolution with the movement, with expectations of operations including areas believed to have hostages.

The sources indicated that this escalation could be part of a negotiating tactic aimed at exerting pressure on Hamas, as part of indirect efforts to complete a prisoner exchange deal, with the possibility that this approach is part of a broader strategy to impose a fait accompli on the ground.

If the Chief of Staff does not agree with this approach, he is expected to submit his resignation, according to the same sources, in an attempt to impose the will of the occupation in the context of potential military escalation.

PALESTINE

Tue 05 Aug 2025 10:48 am - Jerusalem Time

Repeated incursions into "Al-Aqsa".. a qualitative escalation to impose the status quo

Major General Mohammed Al-Samadi: Implementing a Zionist project to impose Israeli sovereignty over Al-Aqsa, and an effective official Arab action is required.
Aziz Al-Asa: The far-right government is moving forward to undermine the Islamic identity and sanctity of Al-Aqsa in search of victories to record against the defenseless Palestinian people.
Dr. Ibrahim Abu Jaber: The repeated incursions into Al-Aqsa Mosque are a clear indicator of the Israeli establishment's attempts to impose a fait accompli policy.
Suleiman Abu Sitta: Ben Gvir's aggression is, in one aspect, a test balloon, and if his plans are passed, his behavior will turn into an official policy towards "Al-Aqsa".
Hatim Abdul Qader: A blatant coup against the existing religious and historical status at Al-Aqsa, and the Israeli objectives have exceeded daily incursions.
Dr. Hassan Khater: There is an escalation in the level of encroachment on "Al-Aqsa", but the most dangerous thing is that settlers are now performing their rituals and worship in various courtyards of the mosque.


The Israeli occupation authorities have recently escalated their extreme plans and policies towards the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque and its surroundings, as extremist groups of settlers led by the extremist Israeli minister Itamar Ben Gvir, under the protection of the occupation army and police, conducted a wide incursion into the mosque on the anniversary of what is called the "Destruction of the Temple", where more than four thousand settlers participated in the incursion, while Muslim worshippers were prevented from entering the Old City and reaching the mosque, and Christian worshippers were also barred from reaching the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to perform their religious rituals, which constitutes a blatant provocation to the feelings of Arabs and Muslims, and a challenge to the steadfast Palestinian people defending the blessed mosque and the holy city.
Writers and analysts warned in separate conversations with "Y" that the incursion of settlers led by Itamar Ben Gvir and their desecration of the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque cannot be treated, nor can previous incursions, as mere transient events or individual actions. These incursions, especially the recent one, carry dangerous implications and messages of multiple parties and levels, especially in light of the ongoing criminal war on the Gaza Strip, and they bear serious political and doctrinal dimensions, revealing the implementation of a Zionist project to impose Israeli sovereignty over Al-Aqsa Mosque amid Arab and global silence, especially since the extremist religious right has adopted the concept of "complete Jewish sovereignty" over Al-Aqsa for years.
They pointed out that the seriousness of what occurred is not only in the large numbers that stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque, which exceeded 4,000 settlers, a record number compared to previous years, but also in the nature and type of violations, noting that there is an escalation in the level of extremism and encroachment on Al-Aqsa Mosque, with the most dangerous aspect being that settlers are now performing their rituals and worship in various courtyards of the mosque, no longer content with the traditional place near the eastern side by the Gate of Mercy.






Not transient events or individual actions

The Jordanian strategic military expert Major General Mohammed Al-Samadi confirmed that when looking at Itamar Ben Gvir's incursion and desecration of the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque, it cannot be treated, nor can previous visits, as transient events or mere individual actions.
He explained that from an analytical perspective, this incursion carries dangerous implications and messages of multiple parties and levels, especially in light of the ongoing criminal war on the Gaza Strip, which includes displacement, killing, and genocide, alongside the rapidly escalating political and military division.
Major General Al-Samadi pointed out that this incursion carries political and doctrinal dimensions, reflecting the implementation of a Zionist project to impose Israeli sovereignty over Al-Aqsa Mosque amid Arab and global silence.
He added that the extremist religious right has adopted the concept of "complete Jewish sovereignty" over Al-Aqsa for years.
He indicated that Ben Gvir, through his repeated incursions, seeks to legitimize them officially within the far-right government, and sends messages to the Israeli interior, especially to the extremist Zionist religious current.

Ben Gvir's attempt to regain his popularity within the right-wing camp

He added: "After 666 days of the failure of the Zionist killing gangs to achieve operational resolution in the Gaza Strip, Ben Gvir is trying to regain his popularity within the right-wing camp." He explained that Ben Gvir, whose hands are stained with the blood of the people of Gaza and the West Bank, seeks to appease the "Temple Mount